Does active noise cancelling actually work? I review tech for a living and know the truth

The hot headphone feature of the 21st century is active noise-cancelling, otherwise known as ANC. Flip a switch and the earpieces magically reduce outside sounds: jet engines, leaf-blowers, those chatty couples at the coffee shop. (You know who you are. Inside voices, people!) The result is that you're able to work, fly, exercise or relax in relative peace.

Or at least that's the promise. But what's the reality? Do Apple AirPods and Bose QuietComforts and Soundcore Space Ones really do any good against life's constant ear-intrusions?

Glad you asked, because this subject is near and dear: I despise uninvited noise, especially when I'm trying to write. Consequently, I've tested (and used) a ton of ANC-equipped earbuds and headphones. But before I tell you about the best ones, let's tackle a few important questions.

Update, Nov. 5, 2025: We changed some of the product recommendations listed below to better align with our current best-list selections.

How does active noise cancelling work?

This will sound strange, but these headphones fight noise with ... noise. External microphones listen to the ambient sounds, then counteract those frequencies in your ears, effectively cancelling them out. Talk about sufficiently advanced technology that's indistinguishable from magic! (Taking a page from sci-fi author Arthur C. Clarke, there.)

Alas, ANC has its limitations; a more accurate description might be "active noise reduction." Read on to learn more.

What kinds of headphones have active noise cancelling?

This is now a staple feature in personal-audio products. You'll find ANC in an increasingly wide range of wireless earbuds and over-the-ear headphones, including ones priced below $100. (Read my roundup of the best budget earbuds for some great examples.)

The exception is open-ear headphones , which are designed specifically to let outside noise in. (That's in part for safety: It can be dangerous if you're outside and can't hear your surroundings, like the sound of oncoming traffic.)

Are there any downsides to using ANC?

Aside from the potential safety issue mentioned above, the only real negative is the impact it has on battery life. ANC uses more juice, so a set of earbuds that's rated for, say, six hours might only give you four with ANC turned on.

Audiophiles will tell you that it costs you some audio fidelity as well — and, yes, you can often hear a slight difference in music when you toggle it on — but I find the trade-off to be well worth it.

Some users also report feeling a little in-ear pressure stemming from ANC use. I've never noticed that myself, but it's something to keep in mind.

Is active noise cancelling expensive?

Nope! Even the some of the most affordable earbuds and headphones have this capability. The aforementioned Soundcore headphones, for example, include ANC, and they're priced below $100.

Of course, if you want the strongest available sound-blocking, be prepared to spend a little more. In my experience, earbuds from Apple, Sony and Bose offer the strongest available ANC.

So what's the verdict? Does ANC really work?

It really works — and you don't even need to be listening to music or a podcast. When I board an airplane, for example, the first thing I do is pop in my earbuds and activate ANC. The nerve-rattling roar of the engines drops to a quiet, tolerable hum.

Now for the caveat: the technology works best against lower-frequency sounds, such as lawnmowers, jet engines and road noise. It's less effective against the likes of crying babies and barking dogs — though if you put some music in the mix, it definitely helps.

Just don't expect total silence. As noted above, what you're getting here is a degree of noise reduction . In my experience, earbuds do a better overall job than over-the-ear headphones, because the former have silicone ear tips — which wedge into your ear canals — for added noise blocking. Headphones, even those that clamp securely over your ears, let in a bit more outside sound.

Now for the most important question of all:

What are the best noise-cancelling earbuds and headphones?

Ready to enter the cone of silence? (Well, the cone of less noise, anyway.) Below I've listed a few of my current top picks. But if you have a little more time, see our much more detailed roundups of the best noise-cancelling headphones and the best wireless earbuds . On a budget? These are the best cheap earbuds I've tried. Oh yeah, and don't forget to clean your earbuds the right way .